Nulon Products Australia
Nulon Technical Support
Online Technical Support

Easy Diagonstics - Quick Fix Solutions

Problems with your car?

On this page you can look a chart of problems and symptons and we will give you a list of simple and quick recommendations for the problems that you have. If you require a more detailed answer or you have a problem that does not exist on this page, please go to the technical support page and submit your problem and our technical staff will reply to your questions as soon as they can.
Engines (Petrol, Diesel and LPG)
Symptom or Application Recommendation

Noisy valve lifters
Change oil and filter and add Nulon Lifter-Free and Tune-Up (Part No. LFTU)

Exhaust smoke on start-up (blue / grey colour)
Usually caused by hardened and worn valve stem seals. Treat with Nulon ESL'>ESL

If smoke is excessive
Use Nulon SS500 in petrol and diesel engines (SS500 can be combined with HP or E10)

Glazed bores in diesel engines
Treat with Nulon HP at double the recommended treatment

Dirty oil and sludge formation inside the rocker cover
Flush with Nulon EOF and change oil and filter (consider changing the oil more frequently)

General mechanical engine noise, e.g. bearings, pistons, timing chain, gudgeon pins etc.
Diesel engines – treat with HP
Petrol engines – treat with E10

If noise is excessive
Use SS500 in diesel and petrol engines


Engine detonates (pings) particularly under load


Note: All of the recommendations at right are based on the assumption that the engine is tuned correctly and within manufacturer's specifications.


Petrol engines using ULP fuel – treat with Nulon OBC. If problem persists after consuming the treated fuel then use Nulon PSO

High Performance and modified petrol engines that require higher than 95 RON PULP – use Nulon PSO regularly

For older vehicles using leaded fuel, use PSO on a regular basis. It may be advisable to retard the initial ignition timing slightly as the original timing specifications set for vehicles designed for 97 RON leaded fuel are no longer valid

Black or dark brown exhaust smoke
Refer to fuel "systems"

High performance or modified petrol engines, LP gas and rotary engines
Use Nulon E20 with each oil change for maximum protection against wear

Petrol engines in sound / good condition and used for typical day-to-day driving
Use Nulon E30 Long Term Engine Treatment for cost effective wear protection

Worn petrol engine protection
Use Nulon E10 each oil change

Diesel engine protection
Use Nulon HP in all diesel engines regardless of age or condition unless the engine suffers from a symptom found elsewhere in this chart
Automatic Transmission
Symptom or Application Recommendation

Poor or harsh changing of gears
Use Nulon G60

Minor leaks
Use Nulon G60
Power Steering Systems
Symptom or Application Recommendation

Vibration felt through steering wheel
Use Nulon G65

Fluid leak from pump, steering box or rack
Use Nulon G65
Cooling Systems
Symptom or Application Recommendation

Corrosion protection (including rust)
Follow manufacturer's recommendations:

If manufacturer specifies a quality corrosion inhibitor, use Nulon R45

If manufacturer recommends Anti-Freeze/Anti-Boil, then use one of Nulon's quality Long Life coolants in accordance with the directions

If vehicle is to be operated in sub-zero temperatures
Use one of Nulon's Long Life Coolants in accordance with the directions

Engine overheats
If a cooling system is in good operating condition it should not overheat. The only course of action is to have the cause diagnosed and rectified

Cooling system is contaminated or dirty
Use Nulon R40. Use as recommended when coolant is changed

Leaks
Leaks anywhere in a cooling system (except for hoses) should be treated with Nulon R50. Obviously it will not be effective on severe leaks. Remember that R50 is a temporary repair only to be used in emergencies
Greasing Application
Symptom or Application Recommendation

For all general greasing applications, particularly where water resistance, high film strength and wide temperature range are required. Use where other greases fail
Nulon L80 Multi Purpose Grease with PTFE


Assembly Lube and Anti-Seize
Symptom or Application Recommendation

For assembly of all mechanical components where start-up damage is of concern. For lubrication of components that will only ever be lubricated on initial assembly. For anti-seize protection of components exposed to weather or water
Nulon L90 Multi Purpose Grease with PTFE


Brake Fluid
Symptom or Application Recommendation

Cleaning of all brake components
Nulon BRAKE400

Brake fluid where high temperature protection and DOT 4 performance levels are required
Nulon XBF Extreme Performance Brake Fluid


Gearbox and Differentials
Symptom or Application Recommendation

Protection of all gearboxes (helical, spur or worm drive) and differentials whether automotive, trucking, marine or industrial. (Does not include automatic transmissions)
Use Nulon G70. This product has been proven to reduce wear by at least 50% in numerous tests

Difficult to change gears
Use Nulon G70. (Note: It is important to use the correct viscosity gear oil as specified by the manufacturer. Using something different can dramatically affect the quality of gear changes)

Difficult to change gears on cold mornings
Use Nulon G70

Gear noise (gearbox or differential)
Use Nulon G70

Bearing noise (gearbox or differential)
Use Nulon G70

Oil seal leaks in either gearbox or differential
Use Nulon ESL'>ESL at 60ml per litre of oil
Fuel Systems – Diesel
Symptom or Application Recommendation

Black exhaust smoke which is caused by over fuelling
Use Nulon DIC. If smoke is not reduced after treating two full tanks it will be necessary to have the pump and/or the injectors serviced

Waxing (in cold climates). Usually this problem is experienced when there is an unexpected cold snap at the beginning of winter and engines are still being run on summer grade fuel. This problem can be overcome by adding heating oil to the diesel or petrol at 10%
Use Nulon DIC which will assist in maintaining the integrity of the fuel

Fuel system corrosion
Use Nulon DIC which contains very effective corrosion inhibitors

Fuel system protection
Use Nulon DIC on a regular basis to maintain entire fuel system

Fuel consumption
Using Nulon DIC on a regular basis will preserve the efficiency of the entire system. In most instances the cost of DIC will be offset by fuel savings

Algae in fuel
Algae is identified as a stringy, sticky, black substance. It is usually first detected when it blocks the fuel filter. Algae only exists when there is water in the system. There is no simple treatment and professional assistance should be sought.
Call Nulon's technical department for advice on freecall 1800 679 922.
Fuel Systems – Petrol (incl. two-stroke)
Symptom or Application Recommendation

• Engine is difficult to start
• Engine hesitates on initial acceleration
• Engine blows black exhaust smoke after starting
• Fuel consumption is progressively becoming worse
• Engine idles roughly
Use Nulon PIC, or TFSC on a regular basis

Fuel injected engine has sticky accelerator
Use Nulon CARB400 - Carburettor and Throttle Body Cleaner to clean the throttle body


Carburettor has visible carbon deposits in its throat
Use Nulon CARB400 - Carburettor and Throttle Body Cleaner to thoroughly clean the carburettor

Engine pinging or detonation
Refer to Engines